IHK President Dr. Bernhard Brons and CEO Max-Martin Deinhard
There are around 33,300 companies working in industry, commerce and the services sector in the CCI district of Ostfriesland and Papenburg. They create jobs and training opportunities, promote innovation and make a major contribution to the sustainable development of the area. Our economy is the mainstay for growth and prosperity in the districts of Aurich, Leer and Wittmund together with the towns of Emden and Papenburg. With taxable total turnover of around 28.4 billion Euro in 2021, our region is an attractive business location, particularly for medium-sized companies.
With the sea ports in Emden, Leer and Papenburg, the CCI district of Ostfriesland and Papenburg is not just a centre of the maritime economy but also a “gateway to the world” for the whole of Northwest Germany.
But the Ostfriesland and Papenburg region is an international business location not just on account of the ports. In 2022, manufacturing in the region generated more than half of its turnover abroad, putting it above the benchmark for the whole of Lower Saxony.
When it comes to the energy transition, our CCI district has been a model region for many years. It has made a name for itself not just as a production location but also as an interesting site for wind farm operators. There are currently 1,069 wind turbines in the CCI district. Their output of around two gigawatt theoretically covers more than 190 percent of the annual energy demand in Ostfriesland and Papenburg. The addition of biomass and photovoltaic output brings this theoretical figure to 245 percent of the required energy demand.
Our reputation as an industrial region comes not just from shipbuilding and our role as the “cradle of wind energy”, but also as an innovative automotive location with a broad-based SME sector. Around 25,000 skilled workers are employed in manufacturing.
Despite our high industrial potential, we are also one of Germany’s most popular holiday regions with the North Sea coast, the islands and inland destinations. We welcome around three million guests to the region every year. Tourism acts as a job motor for the whole of Ostfriesland and Papenburg with around 50,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions working directly or indirectly in tourism.
Ostfriesland and Papenburg also offer favourable conditions for the wholesale and retail sector, with more than 500,000 people living in the catchment area. The CCI district is very attractive for the commercial sector with relatively low charges and fixed costs compared to the rest of the country, as well as being close to the Netherlands.
The next generation of skilled workers in particular will find excellent conditions here for making a successful career start. Around 160 different apprenticeships and training schemes are available, together with the dual study programmes offered by the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer. The CCI offers advice and support for our member companies, trainees and skilled workers as well as the political sector and local authorities, acting as the first point of contact for all aspects of business in the region.
The CCI offers advice and support for our member companies, trainees and skilled workers as well as the political sector and local authorities, acting as the first point of contact for all aspects of business in the region. The CCI lives from the voluntary commitment of its member companies. The CCI General Assembly – the business parliament – is attended by 50 entrepreneurs on a voluntary basis, with a good 164 people in the various committees. Around 1,400 voluntary examiners are involved in conducting the apprenticeship examinations in the CCI district.
Our business monograph gives you an impression of our business location. Discover the convincing potential that the region has to offer! We hope you enjoy reading the monograph.
